Here are some guidelines for creating clear, richly colored images in some common low light situations.
Indoor (tungsten) lighting A light bulb produces a different type of light than the sun does. For this reason, tungsten-balanced film has been created for use indoors when light bulbs are the main source of illumination. In addition, many digital cameras provide a setting for tungsten/fluorescent lighting and using this setting will also improve the way colors are rendered by the camera.
Candlelight While you can more clearly illuminate a candlelit subject by reflecting flash off a wall or ceiling, the light from the flash will have a cooler tone than the candlelight. To avoid a possible clash between the two types of light, place a group of lit candles in front of a mirror and aim the light from these candles onto the subject using the mirror.
Stars and moonlight "Night photography" is a bit of a misnomer because most outdoor photographs that appear to have been shot at night were actually shot at dawn or dusk. For best results, try to do your outdoor low light photography half an hour before dusk or half an hour after dawn. It is possible to take photographs by moonlight only, but unless you work by a full or nearly full moon, you’ll be measuring exposure times in hours rather than minutes.
Urban areas If you’re shooting by the light of street lamps or buildings, tungsten-balanced film will provide better results than daylight-balanced film. Film exposed for long periods can also capture streaks of light caused by stars moving across the sky. The only way to avoid these is to avoid including the sky in the frame. When photographing along a road, if cars come near enough to shine their lights directly into the lens, simply hold the lens cap over the lens until the car has passed.
Sporting events and candid shots Even more than in well-lit conditions, capturing just the right moment in low light is a matter of predicting when that moment will come. Rather than trying to physically follow the action, it’s often easier to stay in one area and follow the action visually so that you’re prepared when something interesting happens.
Artist effects Low lighting provides the opportunity to play with the blur created by long exposure times. For example, you can take your camera onto a pedestrian overpass and photograph the cars below at an exposure time that lets the headlights and taillights blend into one long streak. Also, flash units, flashlights, light sticks, sparklers, or any other colorfully lit object can be moved around in front of the camera to create swirls and patterns of light. However, be careful not to aim any light source directly into the camera lens.